OpenCPN 5.6.2 crashes after 20 seconds

[Kukel]

Hi all,


I am running opencpn on a raspberry pi. A month ago, I updated everything on the Pi, installed the new o-charts plugin and downloaded my maps, with no problem. I haven't been using it much since, because I now mainly use AvNav, but I want to have OpenCPN as a backup program.

Yesterday I wanted to update the buoy overlay file in opencpn, and I found that the app hangs after 20-30 seconds. It becomes totlly unresponsive, if I'm lucky I'm able to kill it, but a few times the whole system got stuck. I have tried Safe mode and closing AvNav before opening OpenCPN, but I can't get it to work.


Any idea what might be the problem? Can I find a log file somewhere, and if so, how?


Thanks,


Kukel

[bdbcat]

Logfile is:
~/.opencpn/opencpn.log


Please post here.
Thanks
Dave

[Kukel]

Here's the log file, hope it helps!

[Kukel]

In the meantime,I deleted OpenCPN.conf and tried to start with a clean slate. OpenCPN doesn't hang after a few seconds anymore, but it does crash very frequently. I'll attach a log from the new situation after a crash.

[Hakan]

Kukel..
Now I'm not a Linux expert but I saw some oddities in the log file.

You have a very strange chart directory listed creating a lot error messages from the chart cash. Try to remove that from the OCPN list in Options->Charts->Chart files.
Chart directory #4: /home/pi/.opencpn


You also have a lot "own" user icons. I don't know if these are creating trouble but for a test move what's saved there to another directory. (Save them temporarily where you want)
/home/pi/.opencpn/UserIcons/


Also are you using Raspberry "Debian". That's rather old to my knowledge. If possible update to at least Buster. But do make a copy of the SD-card before any such attempts. I'm not sure about the o-charts license validity after such a operation. For Raspberry a o-charts dongle is generally a nice rescuer. (The SD card are not know to be the most stable device.)

[ozolli]

Originally Posted by Hakan

Kukel..
Also are you using Raspberry "Debian". That's rather old to my knowledge. If possible update to at least Buster.

Debian 10 codename is Buster, so it no so old ;-)

There is a new Raspberry Pi OS (formerly known as Raspbian) based on Debian 11 but there are very few OCPN plugins available.

[Hakan]

re:"Debian 10 codename is Buster..."
Of course! Brain fag?!. Thanks /H

[Kukel]

Originally Posted by Hakan

Kukel..
You have a very strange chart directory listed creating a lot error messages from the chart cash. Try to remove that from the OCPN list in Options->Charts->Chart files.
Chart directory #4: /home/pi/.opencpn

Thanks for your reply. Am I right in that you looked at the second log file? The reason the .opencpn folder is in the chart directory list is that I use the Chart Downloader to download a gpx buoy file that goes in the Layers folder. However, the folder doesn't need to be listed in charts, you're right, so I removed it.


However, OpenCPN still crashed after that, so I produced a new logfile that I will post underneath in my next post.

You also have a lot "own" user icons. I don't know if these are creating trouble but for a test move what's saved there to another directory. (Save them temporarily where you want)
/home/pi/.opencpn/UserIcons/

these also have to do with the buoy file, they are the associated icons.

[Kukel]

Yet another log.
So, I deleted OpenCPN.conf and re-configured everything. Now, it doesn't hang anymore after x seconds. However, OpenCPN still crashes frequently.
I have already deleted the .opencpn folder from the charts list (it had been added automatically by the chart downloader), but that didn't fix things apparently.

[bdbcat]

Kukel...
Follow Hakan's suggestion.
Remove all layer and usericon load sources. Disable all plugins. Try to stabilize OCPN with truly the simplest possible configuration. Add items (layers, usericons, plugins...) one at a time building the complexity until problems, if any, arise.


And finally, and I'm sure you know this: Double/triple check the rPi power source. Flakey power is a frequent source of rPi problems.


Let us know how it goes, please.
Dave

[verkerkbr]

Very important for the RPI4 is a good power supply with a good cable for the connection. Most of these cheap usb cables have thin wires.

Take the latest RaspiOS Bullseye version 64 bits. Or Ubuntu Jammy Jellyfish version for the RPI. Also 64 bits.

I prefer the OpenCPN flatpak version with most of the plugins allready available. But you can both on your system.

Very easy to install: first the flatpak enviroment: sudo apt install flatpak.

Then go to the flathub site. Search for OpenCPN. Download. Then go Downloads folder;
sudo flatpak install (downloaded file). After a restart the OpenCPN icon appears.

Starting from the terminal is: flatpak run org.opencpn.OpenCPN
update and remove in place of run is possible.

A general update for flatpak apps is: sudo flatpak update. There are allready a nummer of well know apps in the Flatpak format: Chromium, Firefox, Libreoffice, VLC etc. etc.

Bram

[Hakan]

Bram.. bcn..
Just so we are sure about a o-charts license key (fpr)
I one change to Flatpak on a RPi already using o-charts. Will that change make it a "new" system and though make old chart licenses not anymore valid?

[verkerkbr]

Originally Posted by Hakan

Bram.. bcn..
Just so we are sure about a o-charts license key (fpr)
I one change to Flatpak on a RPi already using o-charts. Will that change make it a "new" system and though make old chart licenses not anymore valid?

Hi Hakan,

if you use the usb dongle the O-charts works on both OpenCPN versions.

For some time i do not longer use the system fpr.

regards,


Bram

[verkerkbr]

Hakan,


also together with the same Chart set and usb plug.

[Hakan]

"if you use the usb dongle the O-charts works on both OpenCPN versions."

Yes, that's clear. My post was more to clarify for most users, not having a SG-dongle, if a previous bought system license will still be valid after a change to Flatpak. Your answer may indicate it's not?
@bcn - thoughts?